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Agonal physiology and blood gas tensions

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Summary

The partial pressures of oxygen (PO2), carbon dioxide (PCO2), and hydrogen ion concentrations (pH) were determined in the blood of young adult mice sacrificed either by cardiac arrest,” or by “asphyxiation”. Cardiac arrest was produced by electric shock, and asphyxiation by sudden occlusion of the trachea. A single blood sample, drawn from the left ventricle three minutes after death, was analyzed. Death due to asphyxiation resulted in a significantly lower PO2 when compared to death due to cardiac arrest. There was no significant difference in PCO2 or pH.

The possible implications on the study of sudden unexplained infant deaths (SID syndrome) in humans is discussed.

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References

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Author notes

  1. James O. Aldrich

    Present address: Department of Pathology, U.S.C. School of Medicine, 2025 Zonal Ave., 90033, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Southern California, Los Angeles, U.S.A.

    James O. Aldrich

Authors
  1. James O. Aldrich
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Additional information

This investigation was supported by P.H.S. Training Grant Number (1 A04 AH 0003-01) from Department of Health Education and Welfare.

This work was a partial fulfilment of the thesis requirements of James Aldrich at San Fernando Valley State College.

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Aldrich, J.O. Agonal physiology and blood gas tensions. Indian J Pediatr 39, 259–263 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02756212

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02756212

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